A Blind Girl Flashing... Or... A Blind Beauty Falls For The Big Guy.
Take your pick with whichever title. I prefer the second but I guarantee the first will get more reads.
***
I paced back and forth in the hospital corridor, almost like a father waiting for his wife to give birth. The surgeon and his team were in with Alison whereas I had been told to wait outside. Today we would find out whether or not the operation had been a success.
Alison had been born blind, she had never known the wonder of sight. She knew my features only by touch although she said that to her it was like seeing.
I had mixed feelings. Yes, of course, I wanted her to be able to see. Yet it scared me--would she find me too old? I was, after all, more than twice her age. It worried me that it might come as a shock to her even though she had said many times that it didn't matter.
Why were they taking so long? Had something gone wrong? The questions tumbled over in my mind. It was a pioneering procedure and no one could guarantee that it would work.
A nurse came out and headed straight for me. "They will be ages yet, Mister Jackson. Why don't you go and have a coffee and try and relax? You'll wear the floor out before we're finished at this rate. "
I took her advice, got myself a coffee and went and found a quiet place where I could sit in peace. My thoughts turned to wonder about how it had all begun.
***
There I was, lazily flicking through the records in a newly opened music shop. Nothing that I didn't already have was particularly grabbing my attention but I enjoyed seeing the good selection they had.
I glanced at my watch. Shit! I was going to miss a scheduled meeting if I didn't get my skates on and move my ass somewhat rapidly.
I charged out of the shop doorway, definitely not paying enough attention. Bang! I crashed straight into someone. I stumbled, trying to regain my balance, but to no avail; I hit the pavement hard.
Painfully, I dragged myself to my feet and then looked around for who I had collided with. The woman was on her knees, seemingly searching for something with her hands--perhaps her purse or whatever.
I rushed to help her and apologised for my clumsiness. "Hey, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt or anything?"
She didn't look at me when she answered, in fact, she wasn't looking at anything, just scrabbling around with her searching hands. "No, I'm not hurt, but I can't find my cane. Can you see where it's gone?" I saw the reason why she wasn't looking at me, she was blind.
A quick glance about produced nothing. "Here, take my hand, let me guide you to the lamppost and then I'll look for it." She made no comment as she followed.
Then there it was, lying in the gutter where it had been hidden from view. "I see it, stay there a moment while I get it for you."
A smile lit up her face when I placed it in her hands. And wow, what a face. She was clearly much younger than I had thought, more of a girl than a woman. But she was stunningly beautiful.
I saw the cane quivering and realised she was trembling quite badly. The accident had obviously shaken her more than she had let on. I also saw the small gash on her knee and the small amount of blood that was trickling down her leg.
"You're hurt," I told her, "there's blood on your leg. I feel terrible, a total idiot."
"It happens," she said, "people don't see us. The blind I mean; we get used to it. Anyway, I'm okay, just a little shaken, that's all."
"Well, you shouldn't have to get used to it, people like me should take more care. Look, there's a cafe just here, will you sit and let me get you a drink? You're still shaking, I can't just leave you like that."
I saw her begin to shake her head but then change her mind. "Perhaps, I should sit for a minute, I do feel a bit unsteady." She held out her hand to me. "Show me the way, please."
In answer to my question, she chose a coffee. I led her to a bench seat. "Be right back," I told her.
I ordered two coffees and asked if I could have some wet wipes or a damp cloth, explaining that my friend had gashed her leg.
Back at our table, I saw she seemed to have calmed. She was aware that I had returned with our drinks, her face turned in my direction before that smile was back. "Thank you, you're kind."
"Kind, huh! It's the least I could do after what I've put you through. I've got a damp cloth and some tissues, should I... can I clean the blood off your leg?"
She hesitated a few moments but then nodded her head before saying, "I like your voice, I believe I can trust you."
Trust me? With what? Oh, of course, stupid. She's blind but she's letting me touch her leg. "Don't worry, I'm not a molester."
I knelt down as she swung her leg towards me. Up close the gash looked worse than I had thought. I knew it must be hurting her. As carefully as possible, I wiped away the blood and a few bits of grit.
I glanced up when she jerked. "I'm sorry, that must have hurt." There was a small tear on her cheek.
"No, it's fine. You have a gentle touch, but it does feel quite painful."
Her fists were scrunched up tight, the hem of her skirt in a firm grip. It was then I realised I could see the blue panties she was wearing.
I took hold of her hands. "Relax, I've finished." Then I smoothed her skirt down flat for her.
Her hand flew to her mouth and her face coloured bright red. She had guessed what I had seen. It was an awkward moment, we were both stuck for what to say.
She must have heard me stir the sugar into my coffee, she picked up her own cup. "Sugar?" I asked her.
"No, not for me, thank you." The colour of her cheeks faded back to normal as she recovered herself.
"May I ask, what's your name? I'm Alison." The hint of a smile was back on her face.
"It's David, David Jackson, generally known as, Jacko to my friends."
"So, what do I call you? We're hardly friends but things already got a bit personal, so to speak. What with your hands on my leg and me flashing my panties at you, however unintentional."
"Oh, I only got a glimpse, nothing to worry about. I would like it if you called me Dave, a bit more personal."
She laughed. "I flash my panties at a guy holding my leg and then he tells me he wants to get personal..."
I interrupted her in mid-sentence. "Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything. It's just that I feel kind of responsible for making sure you're okay."
She beckoned to me. "Lean forward, I want to touch your face if you don't mind."
The fingers of both hands began to softly trace the contours and lines of my face.
"You're older than I at first thought. Let me guess. Perhaps, thirty, maybe thirty-five." She covered my lips with a finger to stop me from answering. "Your face tells me you are kind and thoughtful, exactly as you have been. You laugh a lot, that's easy to tell."
Her hands dropped to my shoulders, and felt a little, before moving down my arms. "You're a strong man with powerful muscles. Is that from your work, or maybe sport? Now, you can answer me."
I was astonished that she could tell so much by a cursory feel with her fingers. "I'm thirty-seven and I'm a fitness trainer. I also do a bit of boxing, but nothing too serious. And, I guess, I am a joker and do laugh a lot. How on earth could you tell all of that?"
"Dave, I was born blind. I live through touch and what I hear. It's easier than you might imagine."
I realised our coffees were almost cold. "Would you like another coffee, or do you need to be somewhere?" Then I remembered my meeting. "Bugger!" I exclaimed.
She seemed to know where my hand was resting on the table. She took hold. "What's the matter, Dave?"
"Oh, nothing too important. It's just that I've missed a meeting, that's why I was running when I knocked you flying. It's not the end of the world though, so not to worry about it."
She squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry, you would have been there if you hadn't stopped to help me. Not many would have. I'm very grateful. But no, I don't want another coffee and neither do I have anywhere to be. I was only heading home."
Suddenly, I blurted out, "May I walk you, just to make sure no more idiots go crashing into you?"
She still held my hand but wasn't yet answering my offer. She took a deep breath before saying, "I'm going to break my rules for the first time ever. I'm not sure why I should, but I'm going to trust you, Dave. I don't as a rule ever go with someone not introduced to me by family or friends. Yet, I feel there's something about you, you're not simply trying to take advantage of a blind girl. Can I trust you?"
"Alison, I promise that you can trust me, I'm not a predator. Anyway, they know me quite well in here, if I were a wrong type, you or the police could soon find me."
She didn't release my hand when she stood. I stopped by the checkout. "Fred, this is Alison, would you please tell her my name?"